Apparatus and method for controlling start and stop operations of a computed tomography imaging system

Active Publication Date: 2007-10-04
MORPHO DETECTION INC
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Benefits of technology

[0013] Moreover, and if the conveyor has stopped for more than one gantry rotation of the x-ray source, the redundant data is no longer stored, or the data is stored in place of the redundant data from the previous rotations. The control system of an exemplary embodiment will detect when the belt starts moving again, and subsequent data is

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, and if the conveyor has stopped for more than one gantry rotation of the x-ray source, the redundan

Method used

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  • Apparatus and method for controlling start and stop operations of a computed tomography imaging system
  • Apparatus and method for controlling start and stop operations of a computed tomography imaging system

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Embodiment Construction

[0025] The disclosure of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for data acquisition of an object being scanned by a CT system, the apparatus and method providing a means for data acquisition when a conveyor belt of the system is stopped or operated at various speeds during a CT scanning cycle. A major advantage of this process over the prior process is that the prior process required constant belt movement and accordingly additional queuing conveyors as well as more space between each bag being scanned as the prior CT scanning devices were not configured to utilize data from variable speed conveyors. Moreover, and once the belt has stopped exemplary embodiments of the present invention are configured to prevent unnecessary accumulation of data as well as projecting an unnecessary amount of radiation onto the object being scanned. Therefore, exemplary embodiment of the present invention allow for data acquisition during various operational speeds of the conveyor.

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for scanning an object with a helical CT scanner, the method comprising: acquiring an amount of data corresponding to the object that is scanned by the CT scanner, wherein the amount of data is generated by an x-ray source that projects a fan beam of x-rays toward a detector array on an opposite side of a gantry of the CT scanner, the fan beam being generated at multiple x-ray source positions as the x-ray source is rotated about the object as the object passes through an opening in the gantry disposed about a conveyor for moving the object through the opening; monitoring a position of the conveyor as the object passes through the opening in the gantry; determining if the conveyor has been stationary for more than one rotation of the gantry and discarding redundant data after one rotation, optionally turning off the x-ray tube if the conveyor has been stationary for more than one gantry rotation, and if so preventing the conveyor from moving again until the tube is turned on and is stable, inputting the position of the conveyor at each x-ray source position into a reconstruction algorithm; and presenting an image of the object.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] This present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling a computed tomography imaging system. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are related to methods and apparatus for operating a computed tomography (CT) imaging system in conjunction with a system of conveyors. Such a system may be used for security screening or non-destructive testing. [0002] X-ray based security systems are deployed world-wide in airports to detect explosives, weapons, contraband, or other prohibited items in carry-on and checked baggage. Currently, most carry-on inspection systems are line scanners, which produce a transmission image (also known as scan projection or SP image) of a bag. More advanced CT systems are often used for checked baggage inspection. In many such systems, bags are transported into and out of the scanner by means of a system of conveyor belts. [0003] Line scan systems utilize a scan projection (SP) image for presentation to...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G01N23/04
CPCG01N23/046G01N2223/419A61B6/027G01V5/005
Inventor GARMS, WALTER
Owner MORPHO DETECTION INC
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